I have been a banjo music fan for years. The song I was referring to was on a cassette that I played so much it began to squeal so loud I couldn't stand to play it any more. Might have been an English tape, as I spent several years in the UK with the USAF. I hoped to find a way to convert it to CD or DVD, but now I can't find it.The particular song was a Banjo solo, I believe the song game from a major movie sound track. But it was not from Deliverance, I have several versions of that sound track. It was fairly slow in rhythm, and a real enjoyable tune. I promise, if I find it, I'll post a link to it as I'm sure folks here would enjoy it. I really like the tune, that's why I wanted to hear Mr Heslop play it. It would demonstrate the tone of his creation beautifully, in my estimation. But, as I can't remember the name, or find the tape, I'm happy with what ever he chooses to play. Sorry for the hijack.

After almost a year I finally made the video. In all honesty it was largely those stupid title cards that put me off starting it for so long. I think they're okay on their own but it's totally not the right vibe for a video about a banjo. But for some reason I couldn't just drop them...

Anyways it wasn't so bad when I started actually working on the video. But I still feel like I could've/ should've done a better job for a video i've been sitting on for so long.

First class stuff! I had no intention of watching a 30 minute video on how to build a banjo tonight, but that's exactly what I just did - and I loved every minute of it. I wonder how much other hand-made stuff out there is dead fancy because it's hiding mistakes? ;)

Many thanks for sharing that - warts and all - and that is a lovely instrument you've ended up with. Must be nice to just sit and play it occasionally, knowing you made the whole damn thing, including some of the tools you needed too!

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Cheers!Ade.--Location: Wallasey, Merseyside. A long way from anywhere.Or: Zhengzhou, China. An even longer way from anywhere...Skype: adev73

Congratulations on finishing your Banjo. Only a tad over 12 months since your first post and well worth the wait. I'm sure others, like me, enjoyed watching the way you made stuff to make stuff to complete the build.Covering mistakes? What mistakes? They are features, and let's face it, Being able to recover from our, "feature" making is what makes this hobby so fascinating.

John B

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Converting good metal into swarf sometimes ending up with something useful. ;-)

great video and it sounds good. Having watched from the start the video seems quicker Now just a small video with you playing foggy mountain. Next project a dulcimer maybe or a zither Pete

I had a longer video of me playing originally, but it was zoomed out and well... I have an awful concentration face! I recorded the new one a few days ago but i'm a bit out of practise with the banjo and fumbled almost all the songs I tried to play. Even the included clip has a couple of missed strings!

I think if I ever make another musical instrument it'll either be a resophonic guitar or a vibraphone. Or another banjo. But i've got alot of other stuff i'd like to do first.

A well balanced and interesting video, showing ingenuity in overcoming the problems faced due lack of ideal machinery. Not thwarted by not having all the usual materials available, you have produced an instrument to be proud of. It sounds great, welldone.